Melbourne and All-Australian talent Christian Petracca are set to hold discussions in the coming days as they look to map out the star's thinking for the future, while a fresh report suggests one rival club stands a chance of luring the star Demon through a trade.
The Demons have stood firm since it was revealed that Petracca was frustrated with the club's direction and was weighing up his time in the red and blue. The club has stated that Petracca won't be leaving and will see out his long-term contract, which expires at the end of the 2029 season.
Coach Simon Goodwin echoed that stance following his side's Round 24 defeat to Collingwood, revealing Petracca will meet with key members of the club next week after a "challenging time" for the midfielder, whose season came to an end in June due to a spleen injury.
Goodwin was categoric when answering the latest round of questions on his two-time best and fairest winner in his belief that Petracca will be a Demons player until the end of his contract at the very least.
"Christian will be part of this footy club for the next five years," the premiership coach said.
"He's had a really challenging time, we all know that, he's having to work through a lot of emotions and has suffered a lot of trauma.
"We'll be there to support him. He'll be in the red and blue for the next five years.
"We'll catch up in the next few days with all of our players and go through all the things about moving forward. Christian has got a contract and he's going to be there for five years, that's the space we'll live in."
Goodwin's response comes after 3AWย reporter Sam McClure spoke on the unlikelihood of Petracca departing the club despite the potential of the 28-year-old seeking a move.
Given Petracca's placing as one of the competition's best players, it is hard to see any side having the required trade capital while also being a suitable landing spot for the 2021 Norm Smith Medal winner.
McClure has revealed that Carlton are viewed as the only side that could make a move for Petracca that could satisfy Melbourne, with the Blues needing to part with one of their two Coleman Medal-winning forwards in Charlie Curnow or Harry McKay to get an agreement over the line.
According to McClure, the Demons would reportedly "rebuff almost any advance" from rival clubs except for a potential deal involving one of the two Blues key forwards.
"Christian Petracca, right here right now, is still every chance to demanding a trade in the coming days," McClure told 3AW.
"But the dogged Demons' list management team will rebuff almost any advance, barring - I can report to you tonight - a play from Carlton that would involve one of those two generational forwards."
Both Curnow and McKay are signed to long-term deals at Princes Park, with Curnow penned until the end of 2029, while McKay's contract expires in 2030.
While the Blues would need to be open to parting with one of their star forwards, Curnow and McKay would also need to green-light the idea of moving.
